OUR MISSION:
"...through organization and cooperation with the Department of the Navy, to encourage and aid American youth to develop, train them in seagoing skills, and to teach them patriotism, courage, self-reliance and kindred virtues."
- NSCC Charter - 36 USC 1541
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Our unit, the United States Division, is located in Lansing, MI and we regularly meet for “Drill” one weekend a month with occasional overnight weekends at the Naval/Marine Reserve Center or off site training locations. We have a strong commitment to the development of respect, leadership, responsibility, physical fitness and basic knowledge of military knowledge and protocol. To ease any fears of some parents, we are not in the recruiting business for the military, there is absolutely no “hard sell” or obligation to join the military after joining the Sea Cadets. We do, however, offer training and the opportunity to advance to a level which would offer an advantage for those teens interested in considering a military career when they reach the age of 18.
The United States Division has been operational in Lansing for over 25 years. Our facility sponsors are the Naval and Marine Reserve units currently located in the Naval and Marine Reserve Center on the corner of Saginaw and Marshall Streets in Lansing. We are proud of our history in the Lansing/Kalamazoo areas. Our unit is often requested to participate as color guard for various events; we were honored to be a part of the on-field ‘Salute to Veterans’ ceremony during the pre-game show in November 2007 at the WMU vs. CMU football game in Kalamazoo.
Today’s youth need opportunities like those that our program offers to ‘test their limits’, whether by patrolling the seas or inland waters aboard Navy and Coast Guard ships and small craft, flying aboard military aircraft, touring submarines, working with the Navy Seabees and Seals or receiving computer, medical, or musical training. Our Cadets may also participate in the Sea Cadet Foreign Exchange Program training with their counterparts in Bermuda, Canada, and England. They learn about leadership and reliability while having fun in an environment that is anti-drug, anti-gang, and pro-accountability. Although there is no obligation to join any branch of the armed services, should they decide to enlist, their training in our program may permit them entry at an advanced pay grade. Today’s youth need positive direction and support in their lives, with activities that are meaningful and goal oriented. Our program is a tool for youth and their families to keep them looking toward future goals.
